rslinky

Just in Denali. We had warm, sunny days the 14, 15 and 16th of May. Mosquitoes were out, but not huge and not heavy. On our hike we had high wind and didn't encounter them. Go prepared because they will only be getting worse. Wipes are easiest to carry and some have deet.

Just in Denali. We had warm, sunny days the 14, 15 and 16th of May. Mosquitoes were out, but not huge and not heavy. On our hike we had high wind and didn't encounter them. Go prepared because they will only be getting worse. Wipes are easiest to carry and some have deet.

Just a report from the land portion of our land and sea journey. Board the Oosterdam tomorrow. But arrived in Denali on Thursday and we have had 95 percent sunshine. Saw the mountain today without a cloud around. Saw five grizzlies at Savage River, two crossing the trail in front of us. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Now hoping the rest is as wonderful. Full report upon return. But back to our room to put lotion on these sun burned noses.

Here in Anchorage right now. Definitely mosquitos. We leave for Denali in a few hours and its warm there too - up to 67 predicted for today. Glad we brought our deep woods off wipes.

Sitting here in Seattle awaiting our flight to Anchorage. After our land tour we will be sailing south with you.

Thanks everyone. Off to bed. Alarm goes off in 5.5 hours. I will definitely report and review upon our return.

Ten hours before heading our alarm goes off to catch the plane to Anchorage for our land and sea tour our Hal rep called and offered an upsell to a signature suite from a steel railing verandah for 298 total. We took it. Had booked a particular room so wasn't expecting any such call, plus its our first HAL. Everyone will have their opinions on whether it was a good deal, but it seemed good to us. Would have highly considered the offer to a neptune for 349 a person but didn't have one on port side for our south bound Seward to Vancouver on the Oosterdam. Now back to packing.

We leave in three days for our cruise tour. We are arriving ahead of actual land tour and staying four days post cruise. We have three nights in Denali and cruise Seward to Vancouver on Oosterdam. I am overly excited and I am sure we have over packed. Other than to put half my clothing options back in the closet, any advise or words of wisdom for us before we go?

We have booked Classic Tours for later this month. Can't wait to meet Lois and get a locals perspective.

Thanks BQ. We leave in 10 days for our first HAL and first Alaska. Beyond excited. In prep mode.

Wondering if the bus that we take for Tundra Wilderness picks us up at Mckinley Chalet Resorts or if we have to take the hotel shuttle to the park and transfer to the tour bus. Also, what is included in the lunch box included. Thanks.

Just check the website for the cruise that begins and ends when ship portion of the cruise tour begins and ends. It will be your cruise only price.

I have noticed on deck plans that the Oosterdam has areas on the Verandah, Upper Verandah and Rotterdam that appear to be public areas. Are there doors to access these areas?

Planning on the hat and gloves and scarf. I just haven't settled on which way to go with the coat. Doubt I will have room for both options as we will be gone 17 days and I onlt want to bring one suitcase apiece.

Going on land cruise tour mid May. I have water proof jacket, fleece lined big enough to layer under it. Or I have a heavy fleece jacket I could take instead, again with room to layer, and take a very light weight water resistant jacket I can throw in a backpack when not needed. I lean towards the two vs one but haven't been on an Alaskan cruise before. Any ideas from you have packed for this cruise before?

We will be flying into Anchorage. The cruise ends in Vancouver. We will be picked up by family who lives just across the border in Washington. We will return to Vancouver three days later for one night in hotel before early morning flight out to TN. Anything specific I need to know? Any hints as to which route across the border is best? As always, thanks CC members for your thoughts and ideas and advice.

Have booked our first cruise tour with HAL. Have been reading these message boards and have noticed that the Oosterdam seems to get very little mention compared to other HAL ships. I am very curious to hear your thoughts either good or bad about her. Thanks much.

I just got over the cough that lasted two months. No fun. What worked best for me was coricidan cough and cold and sucking on a halls cough drop practically around the clock. Not good for tasting good food but controlled the cough for me. Hope you are in tip top shape when its time to sail.

Thanks everyone. I now have the detailed answers to my questions.

Have booked a land and sea for May of 2015. We do the land first which includes the first night in Anchorage. I am wondering how we get any info regarding time we leave the next morning, transfer to train depot and what train car we are on. Nothing in our reservation information answers this but maybe it comes with final payment or once we are at hotel. We will actually be arriving in Anchorage a day ahead so will take a cab to hotel.

 

Second question is getting on board. We will be leaving Denali and heading to Seward to board. Reports say anywhere between 8-10 hours for that trip on bus. Has anyone done this bus trip from Denali to ship and remember what time you left Denali and what time you arrived in Seward? And will muster drill be before we sail?

 

Our first Hal and first Alaska. Have done lots of reading of cruise critic, ordered great books of the inside passage for lots of additional information, trying to decide on excursions. I am one of those that believes that half the fun of the trip is the planning. That's why as soon as one major trip is over, I have to start planning the next.

Our Alaskan cruise tour dropped 200 pp just after Explore 4 ended. Checked just now and its back to our booking price. I will keep watching.

Thanks for the clarifications. I just hate sitting by bathrooms whether its in a bus, plane or restaurant. Hopefully we can avoid the very back of the bus and if not, its just one day in the 12 day cruise tour and I will be OK.

From other threads and research, it sounds like seats on the McKinley Explorer are assigned. So can I assume that the seats on the bus from Denali back to Seward will be assigned? And if the seats are assigned for both, how so? Would it mean that loyal customers and/or early bookers would get the better seats? Would hate to think that I booked in October for May and would get stuck in the back of the bus near the bathroom. I know all of you will share what you know. Thanks.

Thanks for replies. Good news. House wines are usually just fine for us.

Can you tell me if you can actually get a glass of wine for 7.00 or less. Reason I ask is we have the beverage card with the Explore 4 bonus. We don't drink soda but would enjoy a glass of wine or two with dinner. But details say its good on drinks 7.00 or under. Sailing Oosterdam in May.